Brazed heat exchanger design

ABSTRACT

A heater transfer module including at least one heat exchanger. Each of the at least one heat exchangers includes at least one first conduit, including a first conduit outer surface, the at least one first conduit configured to allow a first liquid to flow therethrough, and at least one second conduit, including a second conduit outer surface, the at least one second conduit configured to allow a second liquid to flow therethrough. The at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled next to the at least one second conduit outer surface, using a method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals, such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit are substantially parallel to one another.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/900,444 filed Nov. 6, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety into the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to heat transfer devices, and more particularly, to a brazed heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

A heat exchanger is a device used to passively transfer heat from one material to another. These materials may be liquid or gaseous, depending on the situation in which the heat exchanger is being utilized. Heat exchangers are basically two chambers separated by a heat transmitting barrier.

Typical refrigerant-to-water heat exchangers are available as coaxial heat exchangers or brazed plate heat exchangers. Coaxial heat exchangers consist of a double-walled corrugated copper tube inserted through a larger steel tube. Heat exchange takes place as water flows through the center of the corrugated copper tube and a refrigerant flows between the corrugated copper and steel tubes. Brazed plate heat exchangers generally consists of two or more stainless steel plates coupled to one another using a brazing method. A brazed plate heat exchanger generally contains a large surface area; thus, this type of heat exchanger requires more raw material to manufacture. There is therefore a need for a double-walled heat exchanger that requires the use of less material.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In one aspect, a heat transfer module for use in a multi-purpose system for heating water and conditioning an interior space is provided. In one embodiment, the heat transfer module includes at least one heat exchanger. The heat transfer module further includes an enclosure, at least one valve configured to direct the flow of a first liquid therethrough, and a pump configured to circulate a second liquid through the at least one heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger, the at least one valve and the pump are disposed within the enclosure.

In one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger includes at least one first conduit, each of the at least one first conduits including a first conduit outer surface. The at least one heat exchanger also includes at least one second conduit, each of the at least one second conduits including a water conduit outer surface, wherein the first conduit outer surface is disposed next to the second conduit outer surface. In one embodiment, the first conduit outer surface is coupled the second conduit outer surface. In one embodiment, the first conduit outer surface is coupled to the second conduit outer surface such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit is substantially parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled to the at least one second conduit outer surface using a method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals. In one embodiment, the method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals includes brazing. In one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger further includes an outer conduit, wherein the at least one first conduit and the at least one second conduit are disposed within the outer conduit. In one embodiment, the at least one first conduit includes two first conduits. In one embodiment the at least one second conduit includes one second conduit. In one embodiment, the two first conduits may be coupled to the one second conduit, and disposed within the outer conduit. In one embodiment, the outer conduit includes an insulating material.

In one embodiment, the at least one first conduit is configured to allow a first liquid to flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the first liquid includes a refrigerant. In one embodiment, the at least one second conduit is configured to allow a second liquid to flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the second liquid includes water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic component diagram of an embodiment of a heat transfer module according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic component diagram of an embodiment of a multi-purpose system for heating water and conditioning an interior space according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic component view of a heat transfer module, generally referenced at 10. The heat transfer module 10 includes at least one heat exchanger 12. The heat transfer module 10 further includes an enclosure 14, at least one valve 16 configured to direct the flow of a first liquid therethrough, and a pump 18 configured to circulate a second liquid through the at least one heat exchanger 12, wherein the heat exchanger 12, the at least one valve 16 and the pump 18 are disposed within the enclosure 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the at least one heat exchanger 12. In one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger 12 includes at least one first conduit 20, each of the at least one first conduits 20 include a first conduit outer surface 22. The at least one heat exchanger 12 also includes at least one second conduit 24, each of the at least one second conduits 24 include a second conduit outer surface 26, wherein the first conduit outer surface 22 is disposed next to the second conduit outer surface 26. In one embodiment, the first conduit outer surface 22 is coupled to the second conduit outer surface 26. In one embodiment, the first conduit outer surface 22 is coupled to the second conduit outer surface 26 such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit are substantially parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the first conduit outer surface 22 is coupled to the second conduit outer surface 26 using a method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals. In one embodiment, the method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals includes brazing. For example, the first conduit outer surface 22 may be brazed substantially parallel to the second conduit outer surface 26 to form a double walled heat exchanger suitable for potable water use. It will be appreciated that other methods of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals, such as soldering to name one non-limiting example, may be used. In one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger 12 further includes an outer conduit 28, wherein the at least one first conduit 20 and the at least one second conduit 24 are disposed within the outer conduit 28. In one embodiment, the at least one first conduit 20 includes two first conduits 20. In one embodiment the at least one second conduit 24 includes one second conduit 24. In one embodiment, the two first conduits 20 may be coupled to the one second conduit 24 and disposed within the outer conduit 28. In one embodiment, the outer conduit 28 includes an insulating material.

In one embodiment, the at least one first conduit 20 is configured to allow a first liquid to flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the first liquid includes a refrigerant. It will be appreciated that any liquid suitable for heat transfer may be used. In one embodiment, the at least one second conduit 24 is configured to allow a second liquid to flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the second liquid includes water.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a multi-purpose system 30 for conditioning a liquid and conditioning an interior space. In one embodiment, the multi-purpose system 30 includes an outdoor unit assembly 32 and a heat transfer module 10. In one embodiment, the outdoor unit assembly 32 is operably coupled to the heat transfer module 10 via at least one conduit 36. In one embodiment, heat transfer module 10 is in communication with the outdoor unit assembly 32 via a wired or wireless connection (not shown). Heat transfer module 10 may operate to switch the outdoor unit assembly 32 between an interior space conditioning mode and a liquid conditioning mode. A storage tank 40 is coupled to the heat transfer module 10 via at least one conduit 42 and may be configured to produce a signal to indicate when a liquid conditioning mode should be initiated.

For example, during a demand to heat a liquid, storage tank 40 sends a signal to the heat transfer module 10 to operate in a liquid heating mode. Heat transfer module 10 sends a signal to outdoor unit assembly 32 to operate in a heating mode. The outdoor unit assembly 32 operates by circulating a first liquid, for example a refrigerant to name one non-limiting example, into the heat transfer module 10, through the at least one conduit 36. The first liquid is directed through the at least one valve 16A where it enters the at least one first conduit 20. The first liquid returns to outdoor unit assembly 32, through the at least one valve 16B via the at least one conduit 36. The first liquid will continue to circulate through the aforementioned circuit until the heating demand is satisfied. Concurrently, a second liquid is drawn into heat transfer module 10 via pump 18. The second liquid exits storage tank 40 via the at least one conduit 42, wherein it enters heat transfer module 10. The second liquid passes through pump 18 and enters the at least one second conduit 24. Heat is transferred from the first liquid flowing through the at least one first conduit 20 to the second liquid flowing through the at least one second conduit 24. The heated second liquid exits heat transfer module 10, wherein it is returned to storage tank 40 to be available for use.

It will be appreciated that the heat exchanger 12 includes at least one first conduit 20, each including a first conduit outer surface 22, and at least one second conduit 24, each including a second conduit outer surface 26, wherein the first conduit outer surface 22 is coupled to (or simply disposed next to) the second conduit outer surface 26 such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit are substantially parallel to one another, thereby reducing the amount of material needed for construction of the heat exchanger 12.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat transfer module comprising: at least one heat exchanger; wherein each of the at least one heat exchangers comprises: at least one first conduit, including a first conduit outer surface, the at least one first conduit configured to allow a first liquid to flow therethrough; and at least one second conduit, including a second conduit outer surface, the at least one second conduit configured to allow a second liquid to flow therethrough; wherein the at least one first conduit outer surface is disposed next to the at least one second conduit outer surface.
 2. The heat transfer module of claim 1, wherein the first liquid comprises a refrigerant.
 3. The heat transfer module of claim 1, wherein the second liquid comprises water.
 4. The heat transfer module of claim 1, wherein the at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled to the at least one second conduit outer surface.
 5. The heat transfer module of claim 4, wherein the first conduit outer surface is coupled to the second conduit outer surface such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit are substantially parallel to one another
 6. The heat transfer module of claim 5, wherein the at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled substantially parallel to the at least one second conduit outer surface using a method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals.
 7. The heat transfer module of claim 6, wherein the method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals comprises brazing.
 8. The heat transfer module of claim 1, further comprising an outer conduit, wherein the at least one heating conduit and the at least one water conduit are disposed within the outer conduit.
 9. The heat transfer module of claim 8, wherein the outer conduit includes an insulation material.
 10. The heat transfer module of claim 1 further comprising: an enclosure; at least one valve configured to direct the flow of the first liquid therethrough; and a pump configured to circulate the second liquid through the heat exchanger; wherein the heat exchanger, the at least one valve and the pump are disposed within the enclosure.
 11. A multi-purpose system for conditioning a liquid and conditioning an interior space comprising: an outdoor unit assembly; a heat transfer module including at least one heat exchanger; a plurality of conduits operatively coupling the heat transfer module to the outdoor unit assembly; and a controller in electrical communication with the outdoor unit assembly, and the heat transfer module; wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises: at least one first conduit, including a first conduit outer surface, the at least one first conduit configured to allow a first liquid to flow therethrough; and at least one second conduit, including a second conduit outer surface, the at least one second conduit configured to allow a second liquid to flow therethrough; wherein the at least one first conduit outer surface is disposed next to the at least one first conduit outer surface.
 12. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the first liquid comprises a refrigerant.
 13. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the second liquid comprises water.
 14. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled to the at least one second conduit outer surface.
 15. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 14, wherein the first conduit outer surface is coupled to the second conduit outer surface such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit are substantially parallel to one another.
 16. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled substantially parallel to the at least one second conduit outer surface using a method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals.
 17. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 16, wherein the method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals comprises brazing.
 18. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 11, further comprising an outer conduit, wherein the at least one first conduit and the at least one second conduit are disposed within the outer conduit.
 19. The multi-purpose HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the heat transfer module further comprises: an enclosure; at least one valve configured to direct the flow of the first liquid therethrough; and a pump configured to circulate the second liquid through the heat exchanger; wherein the heat exchanger, the at least one valve and the pump are disposed within the enclosure.an enclosure. 